US student dies in snowboarding accident just months after coming to Australia
Drew Youngquist, 22, was snowboarding at Perisher Ski Resort in the Snowy Mountains, south of Sydney, when he collided with a padded pole about 2.30pm on Tuesday.
Paramedics treated him at the scene, but he could not be saved.
According to Youngquist's LinkedIn profile, he arrived in Australia in May to work as seasonal Winter Operations Staff for an outdoor education company based in Jindabyne, about 30km east of the resort.
He was a student at the University of Utah, studying Emergency Medical Services, with aspirations of becoming 'a physician who doesn't just treat symptoms'. Youngquist began working in Australia in May. Credit: LinkedIn
'I want to listen, to understand, and to seek out others' stories,' he wrote.
Before coming to Australia, Youngquist had worked as ski patrol and medical staff at Utah Olympic Park, where his duties included managing injuries on ski slopes.
Perisher's vice president and general manager, Nathan Butterworth, said the resort was devastated by the news.
'Perisher Ski Resort, Ski Patrol, and the entire Vail Resorts family extend our deepest sympathy and support to our guest's family and friends,' he said.
NSW Police said Youngquist's family in the US has been informed, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
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